Itagaki Nobukata

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Itagaki Nobukata(板垣信方, d. March 23, 1548) was a retainer of the Takeda family. His name is also seen with different kanji as 信形.

Nobukata served under both Takeda Nobutora and Takeda Shingen and also was tasked with young Shingen.^[1] When on 1541 Nobutora was driven out from the position of the head of Takeda clan, along with Amari Torayasu served as the general for Shingen often leading the troop into a battle when Shingen could not. On 1545, he successfully captured Takato castle. On 1546, he defeated Uesugi Norimasa at Usui Toge. With these victories, he was instrumental in gaining the control of Shinano Province and proved himself as the skilled tactician. He was also one of Takeda Shingen's twenty-four generals.

After these victories, Nobukata increasingly became selfish and started to hold victory ceremonies without firmly winning a battle which became rapidly fewer. Being the eldest of the Takeda retainers and having educated Shingen, few could criticize his actions. On 1547, Nobukata and his troops were almost completely wiped out in a battle against Murakami clan and without a timely rescue by Hara Toratane, Nobukata himself was in danger as well. Shingen offered the following waka to Nobukata to encourage him to correct his act.

Dare mo Miyo Mitsureba Yagate Kaku Tsuki no Izayofu Ana ya Hito no Yo no Naka

誰もみよ満つればやがて欠く月の十六夜ふ穴や人の世の中

(Translation) Everyone sees that even a beautiful full moon starts to change its shape becoming smaller as the time passes. Even in our human lives things are as it is.

On 1548 at the battle of Uedahara, Nobutaka satisfied with a victory had his troops stand down to hold a ceremony. Murakami troop regrouped and counter attacked and Nobutaka died in the battle, together with Amari Torayasu.^[2]

The Meiji era politician Itagaki Taisuke was Nobukata's direct descendant, 12 generations removed.